Posts with the category “it-s-complicated-s1”

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSFamilies can be complicated things at times. Share with the group your family dynamic (siblings, parents, relationships), al...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:8)Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel a...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:7)But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, ...  Read More

(Psalm 21)For the choir director: A psalm of David.1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!    He shouts with joy because you give him victory.2 For you have given him his heart’s desire;    you have withheld nothing he requested. Interlude3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.    You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.4 He asked you to preserve his life,    and you g...  Read More

(1 Samuel 16:2 )But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”Interesting. Is God telling Samuel to be deceitful? Or is it just a practical reality at this point in the stor...  Read More

(1 Samuel: 16)Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”Jesse belongs to the tribe of Judah and appears in 1 Samuel as a civic leader in the town of Bethlehem. Jesse was also the son of Ob...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSAs we begin this series, spend some time talking to each other about what kinds of things make life so complicated? Our fait...  Read More

(Psalm 23:6)WEEK 1: DAY 4 (Psalm 23:5, 1 Samuel 17:37)5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:537 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Sam...  Read More

(Psalm 23:5, 1 Samuel 17:37)5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:537 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Samuel 17:37Ok, we’re going t...  Read More

(Psalm 23:4, 1 Samuel 17:35-36)4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:435 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Phi...  Read More

(Psalm 23:3)3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3I can’t read the first few words of Psalm 23:3, without thinking of another famous passage from the prophet Isaiah…“31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:...  Read More

(Psalm 23:1-2, 1 Samuel 17:34-35)1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:1-2“34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal...  Read More